Help me change this into a coop

[Hawkeye95]

It looks like the front already has a bit of framing started..? I would finish framing in the front with treated lumber and frame it in for a "people" door as tall as it will allow. Just cover the front of your finished framing with OSB or plywood, and paint that (to weather proof it) or put siding over that. You could also use T1-11 for the front over your studs that you add in and call it good without the plywood... but I'd probably use plywood under it anyway. I would just open that each morning to let them out in the run. I would attach the run to the front, as that makes the most sense. I agree with the vent on the top. Have you seen those spinner vents that are on top of homes? I think it would be pretty easy to install one of those. They are in the back of Lowes-- where all siding and roofing is. You'll probably just need one of them, the entire structure doesn't look too big. As for the holes in the bottom-- I'd get a roll of the short hardware cloth and screw it in along the bottom, or as someone else suggested, pour cement along the bottom. I think it would be really easy to convert! This is a GREAT idea!!

 

[Hawkeye95]

wow, for some reason, it double posted. I just read the 2nd page-- and I like your idea of surrounding the entire structure with a fence. If that's the case, then you don't really need to worry about the bottom. Just back fill with rock or sand and you'd be fine. As for insulation, you'll have to cover it up, as the chickens will try to eat it. I don't think you'll need it anyway. If you really wanted to be sure the front was covered nicely, then I'd frame it up with your 2X4's and cover it with OSB, and then cover that with the T1-11 or siding, and that should be enough insulation. You could also fit in a piece of OSB or plywood on the inside of the back of the building and bolt it in.. then that would help insulate the back and you could easily hand nest boxes or roosts from that.

 

[LIsaajb]

Someone on Facebook suggested that I line the front wall, which we build out of plywood, with hay or straw in the winter for insulation. I love this idea because I don't really care if the chickens scratch or peck at it. There's nothing nasty for them to ingest. Does anyone think it's too big for only 4 hens? I've gotten some comments about how cold it will be for them even with a heat lamp because of its size. Thoughts?

 

[EweSheep]

Looked like one of those bomb shelters......

It is going to be one heck of an unique chicken coop. Can't wait to see the end results on that!

 

[berniezahm]

I know that it is natural to think that if you are cold the chickens are cold. However they have a natural down coat. The biggest cold problem with chickens is Frostbite of the Comb and that mostly with roosters. There is a discussion thread here on BYC concerning heating chicken coops. I suggest that you read that thread before you make up your mind about heating the coop. Remember that there are birds that stay around all winter where most of us live, and they don't have heat lamps nor insulated coops. That coop will be large enough for more than 4 hens. Chicken math says: More chickens are better than less chickens. Chickens are addictive, there is another thread "Chicken (Poultry) Addiction Anonymous *Chat Thread*" it is 490 some pages long. The real probability is that you will end up with more chickens than 4 anyway.

 

[LIsaajb]

Here are my ideas so far in no particular order.
1 jack up the coop, remove all of the bricks and put it flat on the ground filling in any uneven spots with dirt from the inside.
2 install a round "attic" vent in the back wall to create a draft from the front to the back in the summer.
3. Finish the front with plywood, a human sized door, and a doggy door for the hens. This will be lined with bales in the winter for insulation.
4. Paint the front wall pretty colors!
5. Grow ivy around the structure.
6. In the winter, use bales to create a false back wall so there is less space to heat.
7. Build free standing boxes and a roost. Boxes closest to the garage, roost on the opposite wall.
8. Instal fencing around the entire unit burying it a foot down and two feet out. Use lateral bracing on the posts.
9. Get some chickens?

The last two winters we have had temps of negative twenty. I read posts where people brought their chicken into their houses so they didn't freeze to death. I really don't want to clean chicken poop out of the caret, so I'm planning on having a heat lamp just incase it does get that cold again.

 

[Pharm Girl]

I think the hay idea is a good one and I bet they will do fine in cold conditions. I was thinking about bathroom vents like the ones that drag the moisture and vapors out of the bathroom. They have wall ones. I wonder if you could put one in somewhere high to get an air exchange.

 

[Chemguy]

I notice that there are gaps where the riges of the metal exterior lead away from the bottom rail. If you're planning on setting the whole unit on the ground, you might want to consider setting it on top of some welded wire or hardware cloth, so that digging predators won't be able to tunnel in. Just the edges would need to be on top of the barrier.

 

[Guinea and Chicken raiser]

wow, that's cool. what a good idea... add shelves of food and hay on top make sure they are held secure with metal hinges.

 

[Haunted Chicken]

What an awesome structure. I love all the ideas you suggested, it sounds like you've done your homework. It should make for one happy chicken home, especially if the ivy is full of yummy bugs

. I've always said if I rebuild I'm going bigger with a section you can close off smaller in the back for winters and then open it up for summers. So you have the perfect plan in my book